It is said that independent media plays a pivotal role in
shaping and reshaping the structure of country, as it usually shows mirror to
different segment of society and state machinery. Media always stands for
uprightness, ethics and morality but what you will say if it goes against what
it stands for. About half a month ago, a
young, dynamic and ambitious journalist was allegedly raped by her father
figure mentor and Editor-in-Chief of Tehelka magazine, Tarun Tejpal. On
opposing the act, Tejpal said to woman there is only way to sustain your job,
else you will be fired out. This act was also continued on second day of fest. There
is no doubt that the magazine had done numerous wonderful stings, stories and
exposed the institutions of mal governance and corruption. Mr. Tejpal outraged
the modesty of the woman and under new rule of law, the act which he did withhis colleague falls under the offence of custodial rape. After more than a week
of hide and seek game, on 29th of November he came out in media and
said he will cooperate the police in interrogations. 
After hearing the anticipatory bail plea, the session court
of Pannaji rejected his appeal and was arrested by the Goa police. This was all
about what he did. Prior to playing hide and seek game, he had sent a mail to
woman journalist asking for forgiveness and forgets. But when it comes in
public domain he along with magazine’s Managing Editor Shoma Chaudhury started
maligning her image and her character was being assassinated. Before anything
could have happened, Tejpal gave it’s a political discourse. He blamed the BJP
for conspiracy theory and it is their plank to bring down his reputation. The
BJP made every effort to book him whereas the Congress chose to remain silent
on the issue and let the law take its course.
Many young and budding journalists resigned because of the
manner in which case was handled by the management. At last, the Managing
Editor of the company also stepped down to cooperate with the police in
investigation.
Tejpal’s act has not only shocked the media fraternity but
the nation as well.
Just about six months ago, the Government of India had
enacted a law in order to protect women from sexual harassment at work place,
instructing all the organisations to set up an anti-sexual harassment cell. But
the magazine who preaches gender sensitisation, liberty and equality does not
follow the law. The Supreme Court had also asked to follow Vishaka guidelines
but the organisation didn’t pay any heed to it. It’s also a contempt of court
order and the management should be booked under prescribed act. It has also
brought disrepute to media industry the way Tejpal gave a flip flop statements
in a week and questioned the integrity of the victim. 
Goa police has got extension of his custody by four more
days as he had already spent six days police detention. On the other hand the
Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar said that the justice will be done to
both, the victim and the accused, by setting up a fast track court. Common man
thinks media is a potent force in Indian democracy, as it helps in getting
justice but what about if injustice will be done to its employee by
bosses/masters?
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